More major career advancement from fast rising FC class racer Spencer Hyde! At the NHRA New England Nationals — Spencer advanced to his best event finish yet – going all the way to the Funny Car final round!  Spencer also clocked in his fastest career terminal speed so far.  While racing Matt Hagan in round one (photo above) and while tiing his career quick ET (3.863 secs) — Hyde rode to a booming 333.08 mph to edge Hagan’s 3.893 secs 333.74 mph.  Spencer then earned win lights over Buddy Hull and Jack Beckman to make it to his first final round birth.  But in that match some tire shake ended his bid prematurely versus event winner JR Todd driver of the Kalitta Racing/DHL Toyota.

Dan Mercier also “moved the meter” for Canada’s all time quickest runner. Daniel lowered his career best ET to a 3.738 secs while winning over Shawn Langdon in round #1 at Epping. Mercier, who had qualified #11 for the event did however lose out in the 2nd frame when his uber powerful car smoked the tires versus NHRA World Champ Antron Brown.

Quebec’s Louis Gill (a CDRHF Member) had a very impressive event showing at the New England Nationals.  Racing his GT/FA Chevy Cavalier, Louis went to the “final four” in Super Stock eliminator.  Gill also campaigned a Ford Mustang in Stock eliminator (photo below) and after qualifying that car #11 – racked up three round winlights with that new machine for him.

Michel & Diane Bastien from Ste-Anne-Des-Plaines PQ raced the only Canadian car in Top Sportsman – entering once again their 800+ CID Dodge Daytona.  Michel took the popular and fan favourite machine to a 7.043 secs to qualify 5th but alas then ran a took quick 7.014 secs (break out) in round #1.

Al Kenny (a native of Kingston ON) qualified his Dan Page-built and Jegs sponsored car swiftly and very deep #2 for the Top Dragster class at 6.139 secs 226.39 mph.  But in a rather shocking turn of fortune, the always a threat to win driver, could not make the call in round #1 for eliminations.

Francois Periard entered his timeless classic ’68 Roadrunner for Stock eliminator. Based from Vaudrevil PQ, Periard had a superb event run with the B/SA classed and 10.5 secs capable car – going all the way to the 4th round on Sunday.

In Super Street (10.90) index racing a tip of the hat goes to Michael Reynolds with his very consistent ’77 Vega from Ottawa.  Michael hung around late for rounds of racing at New England Dragway – before a break out loss to Ray Sawyer in round 4.

Super Gas class racing had some serious Ontario based talents on hand including Jeff Keyuk’s cool ’87 Cavalier from Carleton Place.  Jeff in fact faced off versus fellow provincial driver Charlie Kenopic (below photo) in round one with Keyuk taking that marquee matchup win.

We like this remarkable and rare ’67 Acadian entered by Quebec City’s Jean Yves Gagnon. Jean Yves raced the car within the S/ST 10.90 index category.